Before Shi Lan could finish speaking, Yu Xiu felt that all eight eyes of the four people at the table were looking at her. Startled, Yu Xiu looked up and glanced around. Seeing that everyone's faces were somewhat displeased, she quickly made an excuse: "No, this porridge is too hot, I'm cooling it down."
Shi Lan smiled slightly, took a sip of the porridge, and said in a seemingly reasonable manner, "The temperature is just right now. It's warm and comforting to drink. If it gets any colder, it will hurt your stomach."
Aunt Wang had already figured out from the few days they spent together that this girl wasn't a decent person.
As the original wife, she had never had any good feelings towards philandering suitors who would still pester her even though she knew the man was already married. In addition, Shi Lan's sincere and friendly attitude just now made Aunt Wang's scales tip unconditionally in her favor.
“Miss Zhou has been pampered since childhood, so I’m afraid she’s not used to eating these coarse foods. I remember I bought some snacks when I passed through town at noon, do you want me to bring them to you?”
Aunt Wang put down the bowl and walked toward the things she had just unloaded.
Shi Lan glanced at Aunt Wang's brisk back. Although she didn't know why Yu Xiu had offended Aunt Wang, she thought it would be a waste not to take advantage of the opportunity.
Shi Lan's eyes darted around, and her brows immediately furrowed. She glanced at the bland soup on the table and said with a troubled expression, "The family's conditions are not good, so it's unfair to Yuxiu. How about I go and ask tomorrow if we can take on more embroidery work? We can't let our sister go hungry."
Yu Xiu was only sixteen years old; even if she had some cunning, it wasn't that deep.
She had been repeatedly bullied by Shi Lan, and the scene at the door had deeply stung her. Seeing Shi Lan's humble posture now, she was still quite pleased with herself. With Aunt Wang's seemingly unintentional praise, before Shi Lan had even finished speaking, she straightened her back and raised her chin slightly, looking every bit the pampered young lady from a wealthy family.
Upon hearing this, the man's face darkened. How could he not know the situation at home?
Before joining the army, his mother was bedridden with illness. In order to have someone take care of his mother, he used his only money as a betrothal gift to marry his wife. After that, he was gone for three years. She took care of her mother and worked hard to support the family. During those three years, she didn't know how hard she had to work to get such meals.
The man looked at his wife's round, dark eyes. What if she wore herself out from embroidering with such beautiful eyes?
Looking at Yuxiu, who seemed completely unashamed and took it all for granted, the man inwardly snorted.
When he went to pick up Zhou Yuxiu, there was no rice left in the rice jar at home. If he hadn't intervened, she would have sold herself. There has been no news about Brother Zhou's pension. All the expenses she had along the way were money he risked his life to earn for his mother and wife.
He eats his food, drinks her water, and in the end, he still complains about the meals his wife has earned through countless hours of hard work.
"Eat if you can, and go downstairs if you can't. The family is still in mourning. There's meat in that little bit of food. Uncle Wang, throw it away."
The man's words were firm and resolute. Uncle Wang glanced at the stunned Yu Xiu and stood up in response.
Upon hearing the instructions, Aunt Wang quickly took out three or four tightly wrapped oil paper packages and stuffed them into Uncle Wang's arms.
Uncle Wang carried the dog out the door and happened to see a stray dog wandering outside. Without thinking, Uncle Wang threw it at the stray dog.
The pastries were scattered everywhere. The stray dog shrank back at first when it heard the noise, but after a moment, seeing that the person had turned and gone inside, it cautiously and greedily ran towards the fragrant things on the ground.
Inside the room, Yu Xiu's tears flowed freely as if they were free. "Brother Mo, what are you planning to do? You told me you promised my brother you would take care of me, and now you're going back on your word?"
The man's face was grim because he had accepted the commission, which was why he had gone to such lengths and spent so much money; otherwise, who would care about her?
Seeing this, Shi Lan slammed down her chopsticks, her delicate brows furrowed. "Yu Xiu, you're not right. My husband promised your brother he would take care of you out of a sense of duty. Since we made the promise, we didn't intend to go back on our word. Didn't I also say I'd take on more embroidery work and buy you some tasty food? Is that not enough? I don't know how I can possibly satisfy you."
Yu Xiu opened her mouth, wanting to say that wasn't what she meant, but Shi Lan didn't give her the chance and pressed her advantage again: "Yu Xiu, we should have a conscience when we do things. Our family is in mourning. Do you expect us to violate the laws of the court, go against our filial piety as sons and daughters-in-law, and suffer imprisonment just to slaughter pigs and sheep to satisfy your appetite?"
Yu Xiu's face turned deathly pale, and she swayed precariously. "Sister-in-law, I... I didn't mean that."
Shi Lan glanced at the man, and seeing that he didn't speak, she waved her hand and said, "Alright, if you don't like this food, don't force yourself. The east wing was just painted a few years ago, so go and rest there."
Yu Xiu shakily sat up, looking at the man with tears in her eyes, hoping he would say something.
But the man was so angry he didn't even want to look at her.
Shi Lan sat next to the man, staring at her coldly.
When Yu Xiu met Shi Lan's gaze, she shrank back and silently left the room.
Shi Lan tucked a stray hair behind her ear, touched the bowl of porridge, and feeling that it was warm, said, "The porridge is a little cold, should I go heat it up?"
Seeing Yuxiu leave and follow Uncle Wang inside, Aunt Wang heard what Shi Lan said and quickly said, "Madam, please sit down. I'll go."
Shi Lan thanked Aunt Wang for her timely help and naturally refused to sit down. The two of them affectionately carried the porridge and pancakes back to the kitchen side by side.
Aunt Wang added some firewood, put the pot lid on, and, by the firelight, examined Shi Lan's calm face. She hesitated and said, "That Miss Zhou has been wanting to buy this and that all along the way. She doesn't seem like a well-behaved person. Madam, don't be fooled by her gentle appearance."
Shi Lan smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Aunt Wang, I won't let anyone else touch anything that's mine."
Seeing that she was confident, Aunt Wang breathed a sigh of relief.
They were both old and came back with Lord Mo because they wanted to live a peaceful life. This lady seemed to have a good temper, and compared to Yuxiu, she preferred to follow Shilan.
The porridge and pancakes were quickly heated up, and the two of them brought them back to the table. Because of what had happened earlier, the group lost their appetite for conversation. After a quick meal, Shi Lan settled Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang in the west wing.
In the main room, while the man was out and had not yet returned, Shi Lan quickly made up the bedding and slipped inside.
The man took a shower and came in to see a small bundle huddled at the end of the kang (a heated brick bed).
"Why are you asleep so early?"
The man sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and looked at Shi Lan tenderly.
Noticing the gaze above her, Shi Lan didn't dare to lift her head and shrank further into the blanket, saying, "It's getting late, let's talk about it tomorrow morning."
The man chuckled softly, finding his wife's shyness both novel and amusing.
Although they had been married for three years, they had only truly been in contact with each other for the moment he lifted his veil on their wedding day. After that, he went to the army with the officials, while she stayed at home to take care of his filial duties.
And so, after three years apart, the two who should have been loving and affectionate finally found time to share a room and sleep on the same kang (heated brick bed).
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